Stakeholders hail Customs for reducing checkpoints on Mile Two–Badagry road

By Kunle Sanni –

Stakeholders from the Border Areas Development Initiative (BADI) and the Universal Research and Training Institute (URTI), Badagry, have applauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for reducing the number of checkpoints along the busy Mile Two–Badagry expressway.

The two institutions described the move as a major step toward easing trade and transport challenges faced by commuters and small-scale cross-border traders who rely on the route for their daily livelihoods.

According to a statement released by the researchers, the Mile Two–Badagry corridor — one of Nigeria’s key commercial routes and a gateway to the West African sub-region — has long suffered from multiple checkpoints that slowed movement, raised transport costs, and discouraged trade.

“The Customs Service’s decision marks a positive step toward restoring efficiency along the corridor and aligns with ongoing national conversations around trade facilitation and ease of doing business,” the statement said.

The groups noted that while maintaining national security responsibilities, the reduction in checkpoints will particularly benefit transporters, market traders, and residents of border communities. They added that excessive checkpoints have historically fueled corruption, extortion, congestion, and artificial trade bottlenecks.

“This decision by the Nigeria Customs Service demonstrates a welcome commitment to smarter, people-focused border management,” the researchers said. “By reducing checkpoints, the NCS has eased the burden on commuters and traders and created a more enabling environment for small-scale businesses moving goods between Lagos and the Seme border.”

They urged other security agencies operating along the route to support the Customs Service’s reforms and avoid duplicating roles. The Nigerian Immigration Service was commended for maintaining an optimal presence, while the Nigerian Navy and Immigration Service received praise for adopting technology-based border surveillance systems such as the Falcon Eye and E-Border platforms.

Baseline research conducted earlier in the year recorded an average of 58 checkpoints along the 21-kilometre stretch between Badagry and Seme-Krake, with the Nigeria Police Force accounting for more than 20% of the total. The latest review shows a reduction to 31 checkpoints, though researchers said the police still maintain an “unwieldy” number with unclear functions.